Bob Blazich Honored with Prestigious Agent of Peace Award
The Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club is proud to announce that Bob Blazich has been named the recipient of the 2024 Agent of Peace Award, a recognition that highlights his unwavering commitment to community service, leadership, and fostering harmony both locally and globally.
About the Agent of Peace Award The Agent of Peace Award, presented by Rotary International, honors individuals who embody the values of Rotary’s mission: “Service Above Self.” Recipients are recognized for their outstanding efforts to promote peace, understanding, and goodwill through meaningful actions that address societal challenges, resolve conflict, and uplift underserved communities. This prestigious honor is a testament to the enduring impact of an individual’s dedication to building a more inclusive and compassionate world.
Bob Blazich: A Life of Service Bob Blazich is a cornerstone of the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club, where he has been a member for over 20 years. His Rotary journey is marked by exceptional leadership and a deep passion for service projects that benefit the local community and beyond. Bob has served in numerous leadership roles and spearheaded education, hunger relief, and clean water access initiatives.
Bob’s contributions extend beyond Rotary. As a retired educator, he has dedicated his life to inspiring the next generation through his work as a teacher, administrator, and mentor. His innate ability to connect with people and motivate them to achieve their best has left a lasting legacy in the Mequon-Thiensville area.
Bob’s humanitarian efforts include leading local initiatives such as the club’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, which provides meals to families in need, and organizing international projects to support clean water access in developing countries. Through his tireless efforts, Bob has exemplified what it means to be a Rotarian: a change-maker dedicated to creating a better world.
Celebrating Bob’s Legacy
The Agent of Peace Award reflects not only Bob Blazich’s remarkable achievements but also the impact of his leadership on the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club and the broader community. “Bob’s commitment to making a difference is inspiring,” said Carol Wessels, president of the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club. “He has been a beacon of peace, compassion, and service, and this award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of his incredible contributions.”
A celebration honoring Bob’s award will occur during the club’s annual banquet, where community members and fellow Rotarians will gather to express their gratitude for his years of dedication and hard work.
Bob Blazich’s recognition as an Agent of Peace reminds us of the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of many. The Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club congratulates Bob on this honor and thanks him for his invaluable service to the community and the world.
When: We meet on Friday mornings from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
Where: We meet at the Mequon Public Market, 6300 W Mequon Rd, Mequon, WI 53092. (The entrance is at the rear.)
Next scheduled meeting 12/06/2024
Thank you!!
Thanks to all those who filled our roster for breakfast,
Coming up are:
6-Dec
Lance Parve
13-Dec
Michael Kim
The speaker committee needs your ideas for presentations or speakers, so please send them to him for exciting programs.
We are about to start a new year for Rotary. We are always looking for speakers. There are no set rules for the speakers, and we welcome diverse people. If you have anyone in mind, please contact me via e-mail, and we will work to invite them to a meeting.
At our meetings, the Greeter will provide either the thought, a Rotary minute, share a family moment or a cultural tradition ... anything with which they would like to start off the day positive.
Upcoming "It's your Rotary moment" assignees:
Please provide a brief bio and photo to jimdelillo2@gmail.com prior to your assigned date.
Jonathan DeVries (12/6/2024)
Seth Duhnke (12/13/2024)
Mika Frank (12/20/2024)
Note: If you cannot act as an "It's your Rotary moment" assignee when scheduled, please arrange for your replacement.
Jim DeLillo is an IT System Analyst working for the mining manufacturing company Komatsu in South Harbor, Milwaukee.
He lives in Cedarburg, WI, with his wife, Judy.
Jim has a grown son, Ben, who lives near Boston as a software developer. Judy’s three grown children include Veronica, who lives in Mequon; Dan, a nearly retired Air Force explosive disposal specialist; and John, a CNA in Colorado. They have six grandchildren.
He is also an award-winning, Internationally published photographer.
Tracey is a seasoned non-profit leader with over 30 years of fundraising experience providing leadership, vision and strategic development plans initiatives for both small and large, complex organizations resulting in consistent and substantial revenue growth. She has led several successful multi-million-dollar capital campaigns in healthcare and other social service agencies. She loves the excitement and transformation a campaign can bring to an organization.
Honoring Alice Sedgwick: A Tireless Advocate in the Fight to End Polio
The Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club is proud to recognize one of its most dedicated members, Alice Sedgwick, for her unwavering commitment to Rotary International’s *End Polio Now* campaign.
At this week’s meeting, Alice was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation, a heartfelt token of gratitude for her exceptional service and advocacy in the fight to eradicate polio.
Alice has been a passionate champion for this cause for years, rallying our community to support the global effort to eliminate polio. Whether organizing fundraising events, giving educational presentations, or sharing inspiring stories of progress in the battle against this crippling disease, Alice’s leadership has made a profound impact.
Under her guidance, our club has contributed significantly to Rotary’s *End Polio Now* campaign, supporting vaccination efforts in vulnerable communities worldwide. Her ability to inspire others has raised awareness and brought our club closer to Rotary’s vision of a polio-free world.
Club President Carol Wessels expressed heartfelt gratitude during the presentation: "Alice’s dedication to this cause embodies the true spirit of Rotary—‘Service Above Self.’ Her work reminds us all that one person’s determination can create a ripple effect of change.”
Alice humbly accepted the certificate, sharing her belief in the power of collective action. “We’ve come so far in the fight against polio,” she said. “Together, as Rotarians, we can achieve what once seemed impossible. I’m honored to be part of this journey with all of you.”
As we celebrate Alice’s achievements, let us also renew our commitment to this vital mission. Polio eradication remains a critical goal, and every effort counts. Together, we can make a lasting difference.
Thank you, Alice, for your tireless service and for inspiring us all to strive toward a better, healthier world.
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Learn More & Get Involved: To support *End Polio Now* or learn more about how you can help, visit https://mtsunriserotary.org/ or speak to any of our members at the next meeting.
The Grants and Donations Committee, an advisory committee to our Board of Directors, is charged with reviewing requests for funds, ensuring a fit with our mission, and being good stewards of donated monies. The Committee’s recommendations were approved by our Board of Directors on November 15th. This is a summary report to our members regarding the first half of our Rotary year.
Our “Around the World” fundraiser, though a fund-a-cause auction, raised $8,000 for Veterans programs serving our community.
Written requests for grants and donations are reviewed on a biannual basis. Our fall cycle resulted in approval of funds for the following organizations:
Guatemala Medical Resources Partnership in ongoing support of the work that is being done to improve the health and quality of life for those in the community being served ($2,500).
Oliveros Scholarship Foundation to help young people in Oliveros, Guatemala through educational grants for basic, technical and university level education ($2,500).
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) to assist in the development of the “Green Bandanna Project”, at Concordia University Wisconsin, which involves youth training in peer support for mental health ($1,000).
Adult Literacy Center of Ozaukee to help underwrite student book fees and expand the English as a Second Language program ($2,000).
Balance to provide summer day camp field trips for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities ($1,500).
A special need, urgent request grant is being given to Family Promise of Ozaukee ($5,000). The organization is facing a short term, end of year need for operating expenses associated with operating a 24/7 shelter in light of recently identified grant limitations. Planning is in place, by their Board of Directors, to ensure the longer-term viability of the organization.
I wish to thank the following committee members for their time and thoughtful deliberation: Seth Duhnke, Steve Peterman, Connie Pukaite and Father Mike Shay.
The November 2024 issue of the Rotary District 6270 Newsletter is now available by clickingHERE.
Please consider sharing content for the upcoming December 2024 issue of this newsletter by sending an email to: newsletter@rotary6270.org on or before November 25, 2024. You are also welcome to share your impressions and likes and dislikes because reader feedback is very important toward ensuring that this magazine reflects who we are as a Rotary District.
Enjoy,
Dr. Reggie Parks, Editor Rotary District 6270 Newsletter Email: newsletter@rotary6270.org
